Academic Specialist – BLS

The academic specialist utilizes a pull-out model to work one-on-one or in small groups with students who have been identified as needing additional support in literacy, mathematics, and executive functioning skills to meet grade-level expectations. The specialist collaborates with classroom teachers to ensure that students with identified learning needs receive appropriate support while participating in general education classes.

• Provide small group and one-on-one intervention based on student classroom performance, standardized test scores, and ongoing progress monitoring data.
• Plan and use appropriate, student-specific instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment.
• Ensure students have access to necessary accommodations in general education classrooms.
• Seeks and communicates strategies for teachers to support the learner in a classroom setting.
• Monitor student academic performance and offer interventions as needed when grades evidence a pattern of decline.
• Create an environment conducive to student learning.
• Send quarterly progress reports to parents for students served through a resource block.
• Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly.
• Provide feedback to and collaborate with administration, teachers, and parents to coordinate the delivery of services to students with learning differences.
• Work together with the Director of the Individual Learning Center (ILC) and other service providers to support students’ learning needs.
• Participate in the annual review of students with learning differences along with administration and parents to review progress.
• Participate in team meetings as necessary.
• Provide consultation to teaching staff members to help support best practices for all students in classrooms.
• Perform any other non-teaching duties as assigned by the administration.

• Commitment to ongoing professional development in order to maintain a current knowledge base and deliver effective academic intervention to high school students.
• Ability to review and analyze data and share meaningful information with parents and teachers.
• Provide coaching to classroom teachers on best practices.
• Proficient in use of technology.
• Knowledge of research, evidenced-based curricula and best practices in instructional methods for students with learning difficulties.
• Superior planning, organizational, and time management skills.
• Dedication to biblical integration in lessons and activities.
• Manage students effectively, teach with excellence, and be able to create an engaging, relational, and joy-filled learning environment for students.
• Be of strong Christian faith and have a passion for serving children and families through the high calling of Christian education.
• Bachelor’s degree required in related field from accredited university.

BLS/CIU provides a benefits package that includes:

• Health Plan;
• 401(k) plan with match opportunity;
• Employer provided group life insurance;
• Long term disability insurance;
• Vacation days, holidays, sick leave, family leave;
• Educational benefits: tuition reduction for PreK3-Graduate.